“Ten to One is Murder” is an example of a kalinda or call-and-response calypso.
“Sparrow resorted to this form in what turned out to be an eloquent instance of self defense. Accused of wounding with intent, he literally took his case to the people. Whether or not this accounted for his acquittal wi...
[Verse 1]
While they're playing that
They have me feeling sad
While they playing this
While I run for police
Ten criminals attack me outside of Miramar
(Ten to one is murder!)
About ten in the night on the 5th of October
(Ten to one is murder!)
Way down Henry Street, up by HGM Walker
(Ten to one is murder!)
Well, the leader of the gang was hot like a pepper
(Ten to one is murder!)
And every man in the gang had a white-handle razor
(Ten to one is murder!)
They say I push the girl from the leader
(Ten to one is murder!)
Well, ah back back until I nearly fall in the gutter
(Ten to one is murder!)
You could imagine my position, not a police in the area!
(Ten to one is murder!)
[Verse 2]
Well, I start to sweat
Man, I'm soaking wet
Mama, so much threat
That's a night I can't forget
With ten of them against me, and fifty spectator
(Ten to one is murder!)
And the way they coming up like they want to devour
(Ten to one is murder!)
But in the heat of the excitement, it's then I remember
(Ten to one is murder!)
In me last pants pocket, I forget me razor
(Ten to one is murder!)
I don't know what to do, but I just can't surrender
(Ten to one is murder!)
So they could cut me down to the smallest pretender
(Ten to one is murder!)
Can you imagine how they planning to dig out me liver
(Ten to one is murder!)
But as the crowd start to gather, I started to shiver
(Ten to one is murder!)
[Verse 3]
In the still of the night
I was ready and in a fright
Me alone against ten
Ten vicious men
Ah remember I had a chicken at Miramar
(Ten to one is murder!)
Well, I said to meself, "that was me last supper"
(Ten to one is murder!)
But I get away, and I run 'till I by Johnson corner
(Ten to one is murder!)
They take off me skin with big stick and boulder
(Ten to one is murder!)
The fellow in front was a very good pelter
(Ten to one is murder!)
Bottle and stone falling but no place to shelter
(Ten to one is murder!)
I hear 'potow pow', and the crowd start to scatter!
(Ten to one is murder!)
Ten To One Is Murder was written by Mighty Sparrow.
Mighty Sparrow released Ten To One Is Murder on Fri Jan 01 1960.